Denouncing timber mafia: JI Chitral asks for release of protesters

Local administration had apprehended innocent civilians during a demonstration by implicating them in fake cases.

PESHAWAR: Former MNA and leader of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chitral district Maulana Abdul Akbar asked for the release of people arrested for protesting against deforestation six months back. Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, he alleged that the local administration had apprehended innocent civilians during a demonstration against timber mafia by implicating them in fake cases. He added that the police had used tear gas and baton charge against them and put them behind bars after declaring them as proclaimed offenders. He informed that the residents of Ayun have expressed their concern over the issue and decided to observe ‘Black Day’ on Eidul Azha.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2012.